A decades-old video is now casting a shadow over Sarah Trone Garriott’s congressional campaign, revealing a deeply personal story from her time as a minister-in-training. The footage shows Garriott recounting her involvement in the wedding of a couple identifying as Satanists, a moment she later framed as a profound, unexpected lesson in love and acceptance.
The incident occurred in 2006, while Garriott was an intern pastor in West Virginia. She vividly remembers the couple’s arrival, believing they needed to be married within a church, and their initial skepticism towards the Christian faith. Their questions were pointed, their beliefs seemingly at odds with everything the church represented.
Tasked with selecting the scripture for the ceremony, Garriott wrestled with a provocative thought: should she choose a passage referencing Satan, hoping to create a sense of familiarity? Ultimately, she settled on 1 Corinthians 13, the well-known passage on love, delivering a traditional Lutheran ceremony despite the unconventional circumstances.
Garriott reflected on the experience years later, acknowledging the irony of Paul’s words being spoken over a Satanist couple in a small-town church. Yet, she argued, the core message of love transcends belief systems, a timeless truth applicable to all people, regardless of their path.
The story resurfaced as Garriott battles for a closely contested congressional seat, and has ignited scrutiny of her beliefs. Opponents have seized on the incident, suggesting a disconnect between her faith and the values of the district she hopes to represent.
During her storytelling event, Garriott described a surprising tenderness she felt towards the groom, noticing a pentagram tattooed on his face and observing the deep connection between the couple. She spoke of their shared “baggage” and the undeniable love in their eyes, a moment of human connection that resonated deeply with her.
Garriott’s account makes clear she did not attempt to convert or challenge the couple’s beliefs. She simply performed the ceremony as directed by her supervising pastor, fulfilling her role as a minister to all who sought the church’s services. The couple vanished after the ceremony, their fate remaining a mystery.
A campaign spokesperson emphasized that Garriott, guided by her pastor, ministered to everyone who entered the church, embodying the Christian principle of loving one’s neighbor. This commitment to grace and inclusivity, they argue, is central to her faith and her approach to public service.
While questions have been raised about the extent of Garriott’s involvement – some noting she wasn’t fully ordained at the time – her own words paint a picture of active participation. She described it as her “first wedding,” a formative experience that shaped her understanding of faith and human connection.
This revelation arrives amidst broader examination of Garriott’s views, including past statements expressing discomfort with overt displays of Christianity and her support for including non-Christian prayers in public settings. She has previously defended engaging with those of different faiths, citing Jesus’ own interactions with those considered “pagans.”
Critics argue that Garriott’s record reveals a pattern of choices that contradict traditional Christian values, questioning her judgment and ability to represent the interests of her constituents. The debate underscores the complex intersection of faith, politics, and personal belief in the heart of a fiercely contested election.
